Juan & Teresa’s Story

Saturday 07 December 2013

Teresa
I started CrossFit two weeks after my 51st birthday. I was working 12 hour days, always felt tired, and was overweight. That week, I met an inspiring young man, SGT Ryan Kennedy, who told me about CrossFit. He spent 30 minutes explaining CrossFit programming – strength, endurance, flexibility and nutrition. He invited me to his “box” for a baseline evaluation. I started training that week and have never quit!

I was inspired by the people (coaches and members) when I first started CF and that has not changed. There is always a new goal, a new demand, and new programming. I NEVER planned to engage in competitive CrossFit, but a great coach (Melissa) convinced me to do the 2013 CrossFit Open and it was a great experience.

There are three things that are amazing about CF915. The coaches are probably my #1 favorite! They motivate me, they give me technical training each and every session, and they are role models. Marc was my first coach – he bought a “training bar” because I could not work with the 45# bars. Each and every coach at CF 915 contributes to my success. My second favorite thing is the progressive programming – mobility classes, women’s Olympic lifting, Boot Camp. I love the variety and new challenges! Finally, my third favorite thing is the friends that I have made and the members who inspire me to finish even when I am the very last person completing the WOD.

As far as results go, I am the fittest I have ever been in my life, and exercise and nutrition are a priority. I have an incredible amount of energy and don’t overeat when I’m stressed. When I started, I could not run, I could not do a squat with a 45# bar, and had never done a clean or snatch! Now, I achieve a new skill or personal best regularly. I really can’t believe I can do some of the things I am doing, like climbing a rope and box jumps – at age 55! And it’s fun!!!

My best memory is when my husband also became a member of CrossFit 915. It took me over a year of convincing to get him into CF915! Now, we support and motivate each other and working out together strengthens our relationship.

Juan
I have always been active and spent many hours in the gym lifting weights; however, over the last two years I lost interest and motivation. I was not eating healthy and had gained a significant amount of weight. My wife had joined Crossfit and kept telling me that I should go with her, but I kept resisting. After a lot of convincing, I decided to try it out for a month – I kept with it and even participated in the gym’s nutrition challenge that summer. I’m now in the best shape of my life.

Crossfit is not just a gym, it’s a program that develops agility, strength, and endurance. The classes are intense and challenging. The coaches have helped me improve my form and lifting weights has never been more exciting. I’ve also changed my diet completely; I lost 27 pounds by participating in a paleo diet challenge at Crossfit. We dieted in teams and the support from other members made a difference in my motivation. If you’re wanting to change your life, I strongly recommend Crossfit 915.